You are on page 1of 2

Background

MANILA, Philippines - Starting next year, the Department of Health (DOH) will distribute
condoms in schools nationwide as part of the effort to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among
the Filipino youth.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the HIV/AIDS trend in the country should be reversed and
the DOH is looking to distribute condoms not only in health facilities, but even in non-
traditional outlets like school clinics.

Ubial said the DOH would work with the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the
program on a pilot-test basis.

The distribution of condoms will start as soon as we have threshed out certain matters with
the DepEd, Ubial said in an interview.

But before the distribution, there will be counseling so we can prepare the schools, teachers
and the students, Ubial added.

The DOHs strategy to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS may become controversial, but Ubial
said the government must adopt bolder moves, considering that the profile of HIV/AIDS
patients in the country is getting younger.

The youngest recorded HIV patient in the country is 11 years old, Ubial said, citing results
of recent studies showing that Filipinos are engaging in sex more and at a very young age.

According to Ubial, the DOH is not encouraging the youth to use condom and only
distributing it for their protection.

Distribution of condom is not a bad habit. We are not encouraging the youth to use. It is for
safekeeping and should be used only during emergency and for their protection, Ubial
stressed.

Ubial also reported that the DOH is looking into the possibility of giving free pre-exposure
prophylaxis drugs to high risk or groups of people vulnerable to the potentially deadly
infection.

We will look into it, but we have to consider logistics before adopting the strategy, she
said.

Aside from condom and pre-exposure drugs, Ubial said the DOH is willing to provide self-
testing kit to high-risk groups if ever it becomes available in the country.

It is not yet available in the Philippines. We hope that it will be registered with the FDA and
soon be available to our countrymen, she said.
However, Ubial said the self-testing kits will be available only in health facilities and partner
agencies, but not in drug stores.

The test kits will not be available in the drug store because we will need counseling before
one gets tested so we could avoid possible increase in depression or suicide because they
might not know what to do if they find themselves positive,

(doh)campaign

The Department of Health (DOH) will distribute free condoms in schools as part of its
ongoing campaign against HIV and AIDS, Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial
announced on Unang Balita.

Ubial explained on Friday that the controversial move was made to educate students
about HIV/AIDS and to follow proven strategies in reducing infection among the youth.

"The condom distribution will not be openly distributed but it will be a venue to discuss
to the young people how to prevent HIV/AIDS," she said.

"This is a strategy that is evidence-based. Marami na pong pagsusuri sa ibang bansa, na


even in Catholic schools ginawa po nila itong strategy na ito. And hindi po dumami ang
nagse-sex, kung hindi kumonti 'yung teenage pregnancies at kumonti ang nagkakaroon
ng sexually-transmitted infection," Ubial added.

Details of the plan are being fleshed out with the Department of Education (DepEd) as
minors require parental consent under Philippine law to procure prophylactics.

The late Health Secretary Juan Flavier's old ABCs of safe sex will remain the DOH's main
advocacy among youths.

- See more at:


http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/590967/lifestyle/healthandwellness/doh-to-
distribute-free-condoms-in-schools-as-part-of-anti-hiv-aids-
campaign#sthash.igKOIFyG.dpuf

You might also like